Cameron's Heartfelt Introduction of Avatar at Comic-Con

Despite being four years in the making, there has been scant little information released about the film that marks director James Cameron's long-awaited return to feature films. Until now...

Cameron personally introduced Avatar to approximately 6,000 fans in Hall H at the San Diego Comic-Con. Cameron likened himself to the fans in the audience, saying:

I figure this is a place where I can speak from the heart because, you know, I feel like I'm one of you guys. I make movies because I love movies, because I'm a fan of fantasy and science fiction and other worlds.

He said that he was always a dreamer, even as a kid.

I grew up in a little town in Canada called Chippewa. Population was about a sixth of the number of people in this room right now. And, you know, even though my body was trapped in Chippewa, my mind was roaming the galaxy thanks to Bradbury and Clark, Sturgeon, Heinlein, and shows like Star Trek. Yes, the first two seasons. And, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

These are the things that blew my mind when I was a kid, when I was that 14-year-old boy riding a school bus, reading a book a day, science fiction book a day. So, this film, really, after a hiatus of doing deep-ocean exploration for seven years, coming back to feature filmmaking, this film has been made for that 14-year-old boy that's still very alive and well in the back of my mind.

So, I know I share with you that love of fantasy and science fiction and other worlds.

However, Camero said that he didn't want to tell any more about the movie or the story so that he could "hold back something for the fun of the voyage." Before leaving the stage he asked:

How many of you have ever wanted to go to another planet? Second question: Are you ready to go to Pandora?

After thunderous applause, the lights went down and the crowd was treated to nearly 25 minutes of fully actualized 3-D footage of Avatar. All of the major characters were introduced, as well as a number of bizarre creatures and environments on the planet Pandora. In a word, the footage was "incredible."

Cameron returned to the stage after the footage was aired and introduced the producer, Jon Landau, and cast members Zoë Saldaña, Stephen Lange, and Sigourney Weaver, who said, "This is the movie you've been waiting for."

As a final announcement, Cameron declared August 21st "Avatar Day" and said that a "global audience" will be afforded a free screening of 15 minutes of Avatar at IMAX and 3-D theaters around the world.